Preston Baseball Club is pleased to announce the signing of their new head coach, William “Pookie” Wilson.
A former AAA outfielder with the Florida Marlins from 1992-97, Wilson brings a wealth of experience to the club, which is enjoying pristine new facilities at La Trobe University in Bundoora.
In addition to his playing experience, Wilson spent one year as an area scout for Montreal Expos before moving back to the Marlins to take on roles such as outfield/base running coach and hitting instructor across three seasons.
Wilson then moved to Kansas City Royals in 2002 to become their minor league hitting instructor which he held until 2005, and then again from 2009-10. He founded Pookie Wilson Baseball in Atlanta, designed to work with high-school student athletes to maintain positive mindsets amongst an effective program and training system to support player development and baseball hitting strategies. He continues to run this program since he left Kansas City, aiding young baseball talent by holding weekly hitting, baserunning and outfield classes.
Preston Baseball Club President Alex Djorgonoski is thrilled that the lengthy process has resulted in the appointment of a qualified coach.
“We see this as being a very positive move, not only for our senior playing group but for our entire club, including our junior players and coaches,” Djorgonoski said. “Pookie has a long playing career, both here and in the minor leagues in the US, along with his minor league appointments as a head coach, hitting coach and instructional coach.”
This is not Wilson’s first venture into Australian baseball, he was an integral part of the ABL team the Melbourne Monarchs in the 1992-93 season when they won the championships. He’d be fondly remembered by players and fans alike.
Djorgonoski says this appointment will be very special to the baseball community in Preston and the surrounding areas. “These coaching opportunities don’t come along all the time for any club let alone for a club in Australia,” Djorgonoski said. “The pure promotional opportunities that will come of this appointment will be invaluable, not to mention the injection of his international coaching experience.”